BROWN: I'M DETERMINED TO INTENSIFY CANNABIS CRACKDOWN

THE Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, said that he was determined to send
a strong message to young people that the use of cannabis was
"unacceptable". At his monthly Downing Street news conference, Mr
Brown indicated his support for re-classifying cannabis as a Class-B
drug.

His comments came ahead of the expected review this month of the
Advisory Council on Drugs of the decision to downgrade it to a Class-C
drug.

It was David Blunkett, as Home Secretary, who oversaw the change of
classification, in January 2004.

While Mr Brown said that he would consider the council's report, he
made it clear that he believed that change was necessary.

"I believe that if we are sending out a signal - particularly to
teenagers and particularly those at the most vulnerable age, young
teenagers - that we in any way find cannabis acceptable, given all
that we now know about the changes in the way cannabis is being sold
in this country, then that is not the right thing to do," he said.

"My personal view has been pretty well known for some
time.

"Given the changing nature of the stock of cannabis that is coming
into the country and greater damage that it appears to be doing to
people who use it, there is a stronger case for sending out a signal
that cannabis is not only illegal but it is unacceptable."